There was almost no fumbling or poor tackling. Every five yards that was gained was earned by straight, hard-played football. Every time four downs were called it was because of superior defence. The football that was played in this game would be a credit to any college team, and many a 'varsity player could learn a lesson of sand from these boys.
Whittemore of the English High-School, and Maguire of the Latin, were stars even in this group. Each one played football every minute of the game. In offence or defence, not an error was made by either. Not far behind them comes Callahan, English High's centre. In spite of two recently sprained ankles, he played a most aggressive game, repeatedly getting out and stopping end and tackle plays. It was his hole-making, too, in this game, as heretofore, that made Ellsworth such a brilliant line-bucker. Besides Callahan and Whittemore, Ashley and Eaton were most valuable to English High. Ashley got around the end in a way that must have surprised him. As a ground-gainer, Eaton, the guard, was not as successful as usual, but he did an immense amount of work on defence. Purtell, his side partner, played a steady, sure game.
For the Latin school, Maguire's work was far ahead of any one's else. He was their surest ground-gainer and their surest tackler. McLachlan, who is the tallest man in the League, played the best end in the game. He is a hard man to put out, and is a great interferer. Daly, at quarter, had a brainy day, and ran the team faultlessly. Nagle, at guard, quit even with Eaton, and time and again helped Teevens, the full-back, through the line.
Man for man, the teams were evenly matched. In the matter of sand neither side can claim any superiority. English High can rest assured that the championship was never more gloriously won. Boston Latin need feel no chagrin because their opponents played a game just one whit better than their own.
Two other great games were played Thanksgiving morning, one between Cambridge Manual and Cambridge High and Latin, the other between Boston English High and Boston Latin. The first-named game was played on a soggy, slippery field, which did not allow of much good football. It was intensely interesting and exciting, however, and resulted in a tie. In the first half it looked like High-School's game; but in the second Manual had everything her own way. It would be unfair to say that it was a poor exhibition in so far as playing football was concerned, for the miserable field was responsible for that. The backs never got started well, and the punters could not stand firmly enough to do good kicking, and anything but the most elementary plays was impossible.
High and Latin had a much better defence than Manual; there was but one weak spot in the line, but that—left tackle—was worked repeatedly for big gains. Cambridge played a new man at left end, Warnock, and he gives promise of doing great work next year. Warren, at guard, and Saul, at quarter, played their usual reliable defence, and Beardsell, at end, played a most brilliant game. He followed the ball wonderfully. Nine times out of ten, when the ball was fumbled, it was Beardsell who fell on it. For Manual, Moore, at centre, played the most aggressive game. White excelled among the backs, keeping his feet remarkably well in the mud.
This game was to decide which team would finish last in the race; but it failed to do so, as each of these schools now has four defeats and one tie on its record. The question of last place must be decided, however, in order to give Somerville High, who won the junior championship, a chance to enter the senior league next year.
The Graduate.